The National Payments Council, in support of reforms in the payment field through the expansion of inclusiveness and increased collaboration among stakeholders in the payment market ecosystem in the Republic of Kosovo, is organizing the re-establishment and opening meeting for the year 2024.

Date: 31/01/2024

Location: Ulpiana Hall – Swiss Diamond Hotel, Pristina

Objectives of the Meeting

1. Reorganization and functionalization of the National Payments Council – NPC Expansion of NPC membership as an advisory body in support of reforms in the payment field and increased security of the National Payment System.

2. Update on developments in the legal and technical infrastructure in the payment field Developments in the process and plans for advancing the legal framework and technical infrastructure of the system and payment services.

3.Determination of a national plan for financial inclusion and reduction of cash usage Activities of the stakeholders are identified and agreed upon to increase access, use of bank accounts, and electronic payment instruments, and to reduce the use of cash, for the purpose of lowering the cost of payment services for more efficient transaction circulation and other positive effects on the economy.

-Target Audience

The NPC meeting is suggested for all local actors involved in the National Payment System of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as representatives of other relevant local and international institutions that have supported the Central Bank of Kosovo in the development of reforms in the payment field.

Furthermore, due to developmental initiatives based on the new Strategic Plan of the Central Bank of Kosovo (2024-2028), the NPC will have an expanded composition and decision-making level of representation for the proper coordination and cooperation to achieve common developmental goals for diverse economic effects.

AGENDA OF THE MEETING

08:30-09:00 Coffee and welcome

Opening Speech

09:00-09:10 Ahmet Ismaili – Governor, Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo The Governor provides an overview of developments in the national payment system and the strategic development plan in this field.
09:10-09:20 Hekuran Murati – Minister, Ministry of Finance and Transfers Presentation of the strategy of the Republic of Kosovo Government in the field of digitization of services, linked to payment services, reducing the use of cash, and the positive impact on the economy. Functionalization of the NPC and developments in the legal and technical infrastructure in the payment field

09:20-09:40 Dardan Fusha – Deputy Governor for Banking Operations, CBK

– Reorganization and functionalization of the National Payments Council (NPC); Revised NPC guidance, composition, competencies, and duties of the NPC, the possibility of creating working groups, etc.

– Developments in the legal framework:

o Law on Payment Services and the regulatory framework review derived from this Law.

o Review of the legal framework for SEPA membership.

– Developments in the technical infrastructure:

o Implementation of the Instant Payments System;

o Issuance of IBAN codes for non-bank payment service providers;

o QR code standardization as a facilitation mechanism in the payment process.

09:40-09:55 Ilir Murtezaj – Director, Kosovo Tax Administration

The importance of digitizing payment services for the country’s economy to increase service efficiency and reduce informality. ATK’s plans for development and areas of interaction to achieve goals.

09:55-10:10 Holti Banka – Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank

World Bank support for CBK and central banks of Western Balkan countries in modernizing payment services and preparing for SEPA and TIPS membership.

10:10-10:25 Suat Bakkal, Board Chairman, Kosovo Banking Association

The readiness of payment service providers, in the function of new legal and infrastructural developments for payment services.

10:25-10:45 Lumni Rrustolli – Director, Payment System Department, CBK

Data on the use of card payment terminals and electronic payment instruments.

Effects of account payment access on financial inclusion. Campaign for card payment usage;

The role of institutions and the distribution of tasks among them.

10:45-11:00 Coffee break

Financial inclusion and reducing the use of cash

11:00-11:20 Oya Pinar Ardic Alper – Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank

Factors influencing the enablement of electronic payments acceptance by businesses and public institutions. Recommendations from best practices.

11:20-11:35 Petrit Balija, Executive Director, Kosovo Banking Association

Advancement of services to increase the use of card and other electronic payment instruments.

11:35-11:50 Representative from non-bank payment service providers

Advancement of services to increase the use of electronic money. The role and contribution of this sector.

11:50-12:05 Tamara Gavrilovic, VISA

Examples from other countries and advanced solutions to increase the use of payments and card terminals.

12:05-12:20 Vanya Manova, MasterCard

Examples from other countries and advanced solutions to increase the use of payments and card terminals.

12:20-12:30 Dardan Fusha, Deputy Governor for Banking Operations, CBK

– Presentation of conclusions/recommendations.

– General Questions and Answers (with all presenters)

12:30-14:00 Lunch

14:00 – 15:00 Roundtable with NPC members and invited institutions for recommendations on reducing cash usage and enabling electronic payments, and for ongoing projects for legal and technical infrastructure developments.

15:00-15:30 Lumni Rrustolli – Director, Payment System Department, CBK

– Information on the establishment of Inter-Institutional Working Groups for the preparation and implementation of technical and legal infrastructure, as well as the Economy Initiative for reducing cash usage, as monitoring mechanisms.

15:30 – Final conclusions and recommendations for the next steps and determination of the next meeting.